At the end of 2008 I calculated the total amount of travel I had done by different modes of transport. It turned out that I had travelled almost the circumference of Mars. I decided to repeat this exercise for the International Year of Astronomy 2009. In 2009 I travelled an equivalent to 87% of the way around the Earth (34735 km). The rough breakdown is shown below.

My travel during 2009 broken down by form of transport. I travelled roughly 87% of the circumference of the Earth. CREDIT: Stuart.

I travelled further by all modes of transport during 2009. The biggest percentage rise was in train travel (9700 compared to 3910 km in 2008) as I managed to replace a few flights with trains. I also travelled some way by boat this year due to a holiday in Norfolk.

All in all, I failed in my attempt to cut down my travel and particularly my flights. On a positive note, I reduced the fractional amount travelled by plane.

My average speed for 2009 was 1.1 m/s or equivalent to a slow walking pace.